Caring for your feline furry friend also comes with its share of joys and challenges, not least of which is maintaining a healthy diet for them. While we all want the best for our cats, the costs can add up, leading many cat owners to seek a balance between quality nutrition and cost efficiency. This guide aims to help you find cat food savings without compromising the health and well-being of your beloved pets.
Understanding Your Cat's Nutritional Needs
Cats have specific dietary needs that must be met to ensure their long-term health and vitality. Essential nutrients such as proteins, fats, vitamins, and minerals play a crucial role in their diet. The debate between wet food and dry food is ongoing, but both can be part of a healthy diet, depending on your cat’s age, health status, and personal preference. It’s vital to consult with a veterinarian to tailor a diet plan that meets your cat or feline’s health and individual needs, factoring in any age-specific requirements.
Tips for Saving Money on Cat Food
Buy in Bulk
Purchasing cat food in larger quantities is often more cost-effective than buying small packages. Look for reputable retailers or shop at online stores that offer bulk discounts without compromising on quality.
Don’t go overboard on bulk purchases as just like human foods, a cat’s food will also expire. Consider the size and number of pets you have in comparison to the size of the package.
Subscribe and Save
Many online pet stores and brands offer subscription services that not only save you money but also ensure you never run out of cat food. These programs often provide additional savings and convenience.
Sites like Amazon offer subscribe and save options for pet owners plus the convenience of shopping online and delivery right to your door.
Utilize Coupons and Cashback Apps
Utilizing coupons and cashback apps can significantly reduce the cost of cat food and other pet supplies.
Coupons sites
Websites such as
offer a wide range of printable and digital coupons for a variety of brands, including those for pet food and accessories.
Earn Cashback
For cashback opportunities, apps like
allow users to earn cash back on purchases made both online and in-store by simply uploading receipts or shopping through app links.
Additionally, manufacturer websites often have exclusive offers for their subscribers, so it’s worth signing up for newsletters from your favorite pet food brands. By combining these deals with store sales, cat owners can maximize their savings on necessary pet supplies.
Join Pet Loyalty Programs
Pet store loyalty programs are another excellent way for cat owners to save. Many national chains offer these programs, which can provide members with exclusive discounts, rewards points, free shipping for online purchases, and even free items after a certain number of purchases.
Some of the most popular pet store loyalty programs include Petco’s Pals Rewards, which offers points for every dollar spent.
PetSmart’s Treats program provides members with discounts, as well as a free surprise on your pet’s birthday, and the ability to earn points for every purchase.
Chewy offers Autoship discounts for regular deliveries, saving time and money. These programs are typically free to join and offer immediate benefits, making them a smart choice for anyone looking to reduce the cost of pet ownership.
Consider Store Brands Pet Food
Store-brand cat foods can offer the same nutritional value as name brands at a fraction of the cost. Always compare the ingredients and nutritional information to the same brand to ensure you’re not compromising your cat’s health for savings.
Search out Discounted Food Options
Finding discounted pet food requires a bit of savvy shopping and a willingness to look beyond the main aisles of pet stores and grocery outlets. One effective strategy is to head straight to the back of the store where sale items, including pet food, are often placed. Many pet stores frequently place discount items here that are close to their sell-by date or have damaged packaging but are still perfectly safe for consumption. Additionally, asking store staff about torn bags of pet food can lead to significant savings, as these items are usually sold at a discount rather than being discarded.
SNAP-eligible grocery stores also sometimes offer pet food that’s nearing its expiration date at reduced prices. While not every location allows SNAP benefits to be used for pet food, the discounted prices in these sections can make high-quality pet food more affordable.
Always check the expiration date and packaging integrity to ensure the food is safe for your pet, and remember, stores are more likely to offer these discounts on a case-by-case basis, so building a rapport with local store managers and staff can also lead to tips on when the best deals are available.
DIY Homemade Cat Food
While homemade cat food can be a way to save money, it’s crucial to consult with your vet to ensure the meals are nutritionally complete. This approach requires a good understanding of your cat’s nutritional needs and should be done with caution.
Maximizing Cat Food Usage and Freshness
Proper storage of cat food can extend its freshness and lifespan, ensuring that you get the most out of your purchases. Use large airtight tubs to store bulk purchases of dry food and rotate your wet food stock to make sure nothing expires.
Additionally, practicing portion control when feeding them can prevent waste and overfeeding, contributing to both your cat’s health and your wallet’s well-being.
Exploring Assistance Programs
For those pet parents facing financial hardships, several programs and organizations offer pet food assistance, including local animal shelters and non-profits. These resources can be invaluable in ensuring your cat remains fed and healthy during tough times.
The Humane Society of the United States – offers a comprehensive guide for pet food and other necessities.
Pet Help Finder – Provides resources to find affordable cat and dog food, veterinary resources, and boarding options.
Pets of the Homeless – provides an interactive resource map to find resources near you.
FindHelp.org – Zipcode search for pet food banks, pet services, and general assistance
211.org – Call to find food resources for your pets.
Red Rover Relief – Provides emergency grants to help with pet care expenses
EASY Wireless Offers for Lifeline and ACP
Saving money involves not just seeking out discounts but also identifying strategies to reduce your overall monthly expenses. This is especially true for cat owners, who face unique costs in ensuring their pets are happy, healthy, and well-fed.
EASY Wireless recognizes the importance of every dollar in the care and well-being of your furry family members. That’s why we provide FREE Monthly Talk, Text, and Data Plans for households that qualify for the Lifeline and Affordable Connectivity Program.
This initiative is designed to help cat owners save on cell phone and data bills, so you can have extra money for your pets’ needs, from high quality cat food, to healthcare.
Learn how you can qualify for FREE Monthly Cell Phone Service.
It's EASY to Save Money on Cat Food
Saving money on cat food doesn’t mean compromising on quality. By understanding your cat’s nutritional needs, taking advantage of savings opportunities, and practicing smart shopping habits, you can ensure your cat enjoys a healthy diet without breaking the bank.
We encourage cat owners to apply these tips and strategies for economizing on their cat’s diet and food.
